Aspirus Health Offers Tips to Break Bad Habits With Alcohol

Friday, April 15th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

For most people aged 21 and older who can legally drink, alcohol can be enjoyed socially with few adverse effects.

But this substance can also have detrimental costs, such as fatalities and injuries, alcohol-related blackouts, health problems, birth defects, and alcohol use disorder.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that over 14.5 million people in the United States aged 12 and over struggle with an AUD, also known as alcoholism or addiction to alcohol.

Because drinking alcohol is so socially accepted, bad habits can sneak up and it can be difficult to identify that there are any issues. “Many people may not even realize they have a problem. A self-assessment is a good first step,” said Bonnie Bauman, MA, SAC-IT, counselor with Aspirus Behavioral Health in Stevens Point.

She suggests asking yourself questions such as:

• Are thoughts of drinking all-consuming;
• Have you struggled to cut back or quit in the past;
• Does drinking interfere with your ability to care for yourself, home, or family?

Bauman adds, “If you’re questioning whether you might have a problem, this alone could be a sign to cut back.” The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers these strategies for cutting down on alcohol.

Try a few or try them all to find what works best for you:

• Keep track,
• Count and measure,
• Set goals,
• Find alternatives,
• Avoid triggers,
• Plan to handle urges,
• And know your “no.”

If you have concerns about your alcohol intake, a healthcare provider can assess for the presence of AUD and help you decide the best course of action. Find a provider at www.aspirus.org/find-a-provider. For more information about the effects of alcohol, visit www.niaaa.nih.gov/.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.